Johnny Nelson did not hold back when discussing Anthony Joshua’s upcoming fight against Jake Paul in Miami this Friday.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion faces more than just a YouTube star in the ring, according to Nelson — he faces a test of his own mindset and resilience.
The Fight That’s More About Joshua Than Paul
Nelson sees Friday night as far bigger than a novelty fight or a payday.
For him, it is a referendum on Joshua’s mental toughness.
He describes the Olympic gold medalist as emotionally fragile, no longer fully hungry for a world title, and still haunted by his loss to Daniel Dubois.
“Everybody’s gonna be watching AJ, because we’ve seen him mentally be fragile in situations when you think, ‘Oh, he’s done it again,’” Nelson said.
He believes Joshua’s internal struggles could dictate the outcome, not just the punches thrown.
Jake Paul Isn’t the Real Enemy
Nelson framed Jake Paul as a sideshow — a “pest” whose presence in boxing is tolerable only if elite fighters deal with him decisively.
His advice for Joshua is stark: dominate not just physically, but mentally.
“If we want to be rid of this pest, my advice to AJ would be to torment him,” Nelson explained on episode two of The Hook. “Hit him, hurt him, don’t finish him.
Drag it out to mentally break him round by round.”
Lessons from the Dubois Defeat
Nelson points to Joshua’s devastating loss to Daniel Dubois as evidence of deeper issues.
In his view, Joshua’s defeat wasn’t just a bad night; it exposed his lack of focus, preparation, and emotional resilience.
“He performed like a novice against Daniel Dubois,” Nelson said.
“He was smiling after getting hit, his legs were gone. Laughing and so on. Get on with your job.”
These moments, Nelson argues, will always linger in Joshua’s mind, shaping how he approaches every fight moving forward.
Has Joshua Lost His Hunger?
A recurring concern for Nelson is Joshua’s motivation.
With mega-paydays, endorsements, and long layoffs, he doubts whether the former champion truly wants to reclaim the world title.
“AJ is at a point in his career where he’s up against young guns,” Nelson said.
“They’ve got hunger, appetite, desire.
He’s been out of the ring too long to tell me he’s hungry enough to really believe he can be world champion again.”
In Nelson’s eyes, Joshua fights more like a mercenary chasing paydays than a fighter driven by legacy.
Complacency Is a Dangerous Trap
Nelson warns that even a moment of ease or showmanship could be catastrophic against Paul.
Smiling or posing for cameras, as Joshua has done in the past, risks repeating the mistakes of the Dubois fight.
“If he doesn’t respect him, Jake Paul may have a chance of landing a shot,” Nelson said.
“AJ needs to torment the life out of him and show him the difference in class.”
Confronting the Past to Move Forward
Ultimately, Nelson believes Joshua must confront his past defeats head-on.
He cites Lennox Lewis demanding a rematch after a shocking knockout as the blueprint for reclaiming confidence and closure.
“The first thing I would have done if I was AJ, I’d say I want a rematch,” Nelson said.
“Because if you’ve been a world champion and you really believe you’re the best, suddenly realizing you’re not is hard to live with.”
Only by taking ownership of his own journey, Nelson argues, can Joshua hope to restore his focus and find closure — whether against Paul or in future fights.
The Mental Battle in the Ring
For Nelson, the fight in Miami isn’t just about punches or pay-per-view numbers.
It’s about testing Joshua’s mindset, resilience, and capacity to reclaim some measure of respect — both for himself and for the sport.
This Friday, the biggest opponent in the ring may well be Anthony Joshua himself.
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